he finished the last -- winning races.

Only this time it wasn't a victory in the novice division but overall honours as he beat out most of the Island's top riders in the first event of the season on Sunday at the Naval Air Station.

Over 40 riders competed in seven categories, but it was the category two and three races that provided the most excitement.

On the 20-lap course which included a long uphill stretch, one cyclist after another attacked in an attempt to break up a group of about 15 riders. But it was not until about halfway through the race that riders started to lose contact.

A small group of riders surged on the hill with five laps to go. Jeff Payne, Greg Hopkins, Mike Lee, Stephan Carpentier and Tim Palmer broke away from the pack and agreed to a temporary alliance, working together to widen the gap.

With two laps remaining the leaders began to position themselves for the finish and apart from an attempt to break away by Payne, they stayed together for the inevitable sprint finish. Hopkins led from about 400 metres out when Payne began to pull past.

But with about 50 metres to go, Palmer, who had positioned himself perfectly, burst between the two and crossed the line first with Payne, Lee, Carpentier and Hopkins all being credited with the same time.

In the veterans division, Vic Ball outsprinted Frank Mutch after their group, containing many of the novice and female riders, swapped the lead for much of the race. In a mass sprint at the end, Melanie Claude beat out Shona Palmer for ladies honours. Kris Hedges then overcame a challenge from Jonathon Herring.

In the junior three category for under-12 riders, Matthew Herring topped Steven Smith.